Photo display hanger and kit

ABSTRACT

A photo display incorporates a support hook(s) as a display adjunct. The hook is fabricated from a flat sheet of material. The material is capable of a high degree of flexing without breaking. Double-sided tape is employed to mount the sheet on a flat, vertical surface such as a wall or door. The sheet is sized to neatly present a display item. The display item may take the form of a photograph, an advertisement, a message, or the like. Other forms of the photo display employ adjuncts that permit easy mailing of a photograph or the like and support for displaying the photograph.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/654,507, filed Dec. 22, 2009 (now pending), which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/073,354,filed Mar. 4, 2008 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,665,707), which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/798,896,filed May 17, 2007 (now abandoned).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to supports, and particularly toa photo display hanger and kit that incorporate adjunct supportstructure therewith.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of hooks for supporting objects, such as garments, hats, keys,umbrellas, etc., is commonplace. The hooks are conventionally mounted onwalls or doors in the home or office. Unfortunately, conventional hooksare usually unsightly and add no “feng shui” to the surrounding area.Furthermore, conventional hooks are usually “permanently” mounted usinga screw fastener or the like, which mars the wall or door.

Mailing that special photograph of a wedding, birthday, bar mitzvah,etc. to favorite people can be a hassle in that the photograph must bewrapped in a protective covering and then housed in a separate mailingenvelope. Furthermore, when received, a frame must be located before thephotograph can be properly displayed. The art would certainly welcome asupport hook that incorporates a decorative display adjunct and thatcould easily be mounted or removed from a wall or doorway. The art wouldalso gratefully accept a convenient photo mailer that could alsofunction as a display adjunct for the photograph. Thus, a photo-displayhanger and kit solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The photo display hanger and kit of the present invention incorporates asupport hook(s). The hook is fabricated from a flat sheet of material.The material may be transparent and is capable of a high degree offlexing without breaking. Double-sided tape is employed to mount thesheet on a flat, vertical surface, such as a wall or door. The sheet isadapted to neatly present a display. The display may take the form of aphotograph, an advertisement, a message, or the like. The display can beeasily changed without causing the double-sided mounting tape torelease. The hook is designed to support a load having a predeterminedmaximum weight. If the predetermined weight is exceeded, the hook willbend (without breaking) to release the load. This arrangement presents aserviceable support hook in conjunction with a pleasing decorativedisplay. The sheet may also incorporate an array of hooks. Otherembodiments of the display device employ adjuncts that permit easymailing of a photograph or the like and support for displaying aphotograph.

Accordingly, the invention presents a display device that can be easilyand quickly mounted to almost any vertical surface. The invention alsopresents a device that functions as a mailer and support for displayinga photograph on horizontal or vertical surfaces. The invention providesfor improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposesdescribed that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective inaccomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other features of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a hanger with a photodisplay according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the transparent sheet of a hanger with aphoto display according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the transparent sheet of a hanger with a photodisplay according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded, side view of the transparent sheet and decorativeframe of a hanger with a photo display according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the decorative frame of a hanger with aphoto display according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the decorative frame of a hanger with a photodisplay according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the transparentsheet of a hanger with a photo display according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a hangerwith a photo display according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the hanger of FIG. 8 according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded, perspective view of a fourth embodiment of ahanger with a photo display according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment with hookspositioned in the plane of the sheet of the hanger with a photo displayaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment with hooks bent outof the plane of the sheet of the hanger with a photo display accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment with hookspositioned in the plane of the sheet of the hanger with a photo displayaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment with hookspositioned in the plane of the sheet of the hanger with a photo displayaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective front view of a photo display prepared formailing according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective rear view of the photo display of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective, front view of a photo display hanger and kitaccording to the present invention that incorporate a mailer framehaving a pop-out support and slide-out address card.

FIG. 18 is an exploded, rear view of the photo display hanger and kitillustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a rear view of the mailer frame of FIG. 17 with the slideaddress card inserted, shown before the end of the slide out card isdetached.

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the mailer frame of FIG. 17 with the slideaddress card inserted, shown after the end of the slide out card isdetached.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to FIG. 1, wherein the hanger with a photodisplay is generally indicated at 10. Hanger 10 comprises a sheet ofplastic material 12 incorporating a support hook 14. Sheet 12 is mountedto a vertical surface 16, such as a wall or a door (as shown). A framemember 30 is removably mounted on sheet 12 in a manner that will beexplained below.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, sheet 12 and hook 14 are fabricated froma single piece of transparent, plastic material. The plastic materialhas high degree of flexibility that will allow the hook to bend (notephantom lines) without breaking, but has sufficient memory or resiliencethat the material resumes the hook shape when the bending force isremoved. Any transparent material exhibiting these qualities may beutilized to fabricate the sheet if such material is otherwise suitable(costs, availability, non-toxicity, etc.)

A strip of double-sided adhesive 18 is employed to mount the rearsurface of sheet 12 to vertical surface 16. Adhesive strip 18 is ofsufficient size to maintain a bond between sheet 12 and surface 16 whena load of predetermined weight is disposed on hook 14. A small space 20is formed between the rear surface of sheet 12 and vertical surface 16.Space 20 extends from the top edge 12 a of sheet 12 to the top edge 18 aof double-sided adhesive strip 18. As contemplated, a selected displayitem 22 may be removably disposed in the space 20 in a manner to beviewed through the front surface of sheet 12. As indicated above,although the present invention is referred to as a hanger with photodisplay, the display item may take the form of a photograph, a memo orany type of visual material. The dimensions of the display item will becoextensive with the dimensions of sheet 12.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 4-6, which illustrate the dispositionof decorative frame 30 onto sheet 12. Frame 30 is configured toencapsulate the perimeter of sheet 12 while leaving hook 14 and thefront surface of sheet 12 exposed. The side edges of sheet 12 arereceived within the sidewalls 32 of frame 30. Wall 34 is positionedacross the rear of frame 30 to form a pocket 36 adapted to receive thetop edge 12 a of sheet 12 therein. This arrangement allows frame 30 tobe easily mounted and removed if it is desired to change a display item.Although illustrated as rectangular, it is obvious that the sheet 12 andframe 30 could be fabricated in other configurations and of varioussizes, if desired.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the invention wherein plural hooks40 are disposed along a bottom edge 40 a of transparent sheet 42. Adecorative frame (not shown) is configured to be disposed on sheet 42 inthe same manner as described above relative to sheet 12. This embodimentis especially useful for hanging an array of keys thereon.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are illustrative of a third embodiment of the inventionthat incorporates a single, unitary sheet 50 provided with a hook 52 atthe lower end thereof. The front surface of sheet 50 is designed with acavity 54 therein. Cavity 54 is adapted to receive a display item 22,the display item 22 being nested within the cavity 54. A transparentwindow 56 is removably press-fitted into cavity 54 to retain the displayitem 22 in the cavity 54. Double-sided adhesive strips 18 are employedon the rear surface of sheet 50 to removably mount the sheet on avertical surface. An opening 58 is formed through sheet 50 to facilitatethe removal of window 56 when it is desired to change the display 22.Although illustrated as rectangular, it is obvious that sheet 50 can befabricated in other configurations, if desired. Sheet 50 can betransparent, translucent or opaque.

As best seen in FIG. 10, a fourth embodiment of the invention isprovided with a unitary sheet 60 having a base 62. Respective sides 64extend perpendicularly upward from the base 62, forming a fork defininga cavity 66. A single leg 68 extends medially downward from base 62. Ahook 70 is positioned on the front surface of leg 68. As in theembodiment described immediately above, a display item 22 is sized tonest within cavity 66 and a transparent window 72 is press-fitted intocavity 66 to retain the display item therein. Sheet 60 can betransparent, translucent or opaque.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein thesheet member 80 of the photo display is fabricated to have peripheraldimensions (length and width) to enable the sheet member to fit intoconventional mailing envelopes. A photograph display area is centrallydisposed in the sheet. Die-cut hooks 82 are disposed in the bottom edge80 a and coincident with the plane of sheet member 80 for mailingpurposes. Double-sided tape 84 is positioned on the rear surface of thesheet member for mounting purposes as described above. In use hooks 82are bent out of the plane of the sheet (FIG. 12) when the sheet is to bemounted.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show an embodiment wherein die-cut hooks 86 arepositioned below the bottom edge 80 a of sheet 80. Hooks 86 are alsocoincident with the plane of the sheet for mailing purposes and can bebent out of the plane for use (FIG. 14).

As presently contemplated, the photo display embodiments of FIGS. 11-14can be mailed without the use of mailing envelopes if desired. Asillustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, one merely has to attach a mailing label90 to the front surface of sheet 80 and attach the photo or the like tothe rear surface using tape strips 92.

FIGS. 17-20 illustrate an embodiment of the invention in the form of akit that facilitates mailing and display of a photograph or the like. Inthis embodiment, a transparent mailing envelope 100 also functions as adisplay adjunct. The mailing envelope 100 comprises a front face 110, arear face 112, a closed first end 114, an open second end 116, andclosed top and bottom edges 118. The envelope is fabricated fromtransparent, plastic material. As presently contemplated, the mailingenvelope 100 is sized to removably house a 4″×6″ item, such as aphotograph P, for mailing and display. It should be noted, however, thatenvelopes of other sizes may be employed. An address card 120, as moreprecisely described below, is also removably housed in the mailingenvelope 100.

The front face 110 of the mailing envelope 100 has a decorative border110 a disposed around the perimeter thereof for aesthetic purposes. Therear face 112 is provided with a segment 112 a that is scored aroundthree sides thereof to allow the segment to be popped out from the planeof the rear face 112 to form a stand for the mailing sleeve. It shouldbe noted that the segment 112 a can support the mailing sleeve in eithera horizontal or a vertical orientation, if tabletop display ispreferred. A double-sided adhesive strip 115 is disposed on the rearface 112 in a central area thereof, whereby the mailing sleeve can besecured to a vertical surface for display, if desired. The address card120 has indicia 120 a inscribed on its front surface for providingmailing information thereon, e.g., designated areas formatted with blanklines where addressee and return address information can be filled in.Perforations 122 are disposed across the card 120 adjacent one end 120 bof the address card that extends beyond the envelope 100 so that the end120 b may be easily detached from the card 120. An adhesive seal 124 isprovided and utilized to seal the open end 116 of the envelope 100.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A mailing and photograph display kit, comprising: a mailing envelopehaving a front face, a rear face, a closed first end, an open secondend, and closed top and bottom edges; a pop-out segment disposed on therear face; an adhesive strip disposed on the rear face; and an addresscard removably insertable into the mailing envelope.
 2. The mailing andphotograph display kit according to claim 1, wherein the front face hasa perimeter and a decorative border disposed around the perimeter. 3.The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim 1, whereinsaid mailing envelope is fabricated from a transparent plastic material.4. The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim 1, whereinsaid address card has a front surface and mailing indicia disposed onthe front surface providing a fillable form for addressee and returnaddress information.
 5. The mailing and photograph display kit accordingto claim 1, further including an adhesive sealing for sealing the openend of said mailing envelope.
 6. A mailing and photograph display kit,comprising: a mailing envelope having a front face, a rear face, aclosed first end, an open second end, and closed top and bottom edges; apop-out segment disposed on the rear face, the pop-out segment forming astand for supporting the envelope on a horizontal surface, whereby themailing envelope may serve as a display stand; a double-sided adhesivestrip disposed on the rear face adapted for attaching the envelope to avertical surface, whereby the envelope may serve as a display hanger;and an address card removably insertable into the mailing envelope, theaddress card having a detachable end.
 7. The mailing and photographdisplay kit according to claim 6, wherein the front face of saidenvelope has a perimeter and a decorative border disposed around theperimeter.
 8. The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim6, wherein said mailing envelope is fabricated from a transparentplastic material.
 9. The mailing and photograph display kit according toclaim 6, wherein said address card has a front surface and mailingindicia mailing indicia disposed on the front surface providing afinable form for addressee and return address information.
 10. Themailing and photograph display kit according to claim 6, furtherincluding a discrete adhesive seal attachable to the open end of saidenvelope for sealing the open end.
 11. The mailing and photographdisplay kit according to claim 6, wherein said address card isperforated adjacent the detachable end to facilitate detachment thereof.12. The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim 6, whereinsaid pop-out segment has four sides and wherein three of the four sidesare scored therearound.
 13. A mailing and photograph display kit,comprising: a mailing envelope fabricated from transparent plasticmaterial, the mailing envelope having a perimeter, a front face, a rearface, a closed first end, an open second end, and closed top and bottomedges; a pop-out segment disposed on the rear face, the pop-out segmentforming a stand for supporting the envelope on a horizontal surface,whereby the mailing envelope may serve as a display stand; adouble-sided adhesive strip disposed on the rear face adapted forattaching the envelope to a vertical surface, whereby the envelope mayserve as a display hanger; an address card removably insertable into themailing envelope, the address card having a detachable end; and adiscrete adhesive seal for sealing the open end of the mailing envelope.14. The mailing and photograph display kit according to claim 13,wherein said address card is perforated adjacent the detachable end tofacilitate detachment thereof, the address card having a front surfaceand mailing indicia disposed on the front surface providing a fillableform for addressee and return address information.
 15. The mailing andphotograph display kit according to claim 14, wherein said pop-outsegment has four sides and wherein three of the four sides are scoredtherearound, permitting the stand to fold out from the rear face of saidmailing envelope.